Zero
We'd roughly filled our stomachs, but of course a few cookie crumbs weren't about to leave the kids satisfied.
Still, the looks on their faces said they finally felt alive again, so at least the immediate crisis was handled. A proper meal could wait until we got home.
"There's one more place we need to stop first."
I handed the last iced tea powder pack I'd grabbed from the café over to the high schooler with glasses and spoke up.
"There's a bike shop just a short walk from here. We'll swing by there and then head out."
"...A bike shop?"
Everyone looked puzzled.
"Don't tell me you're planning to steal a bicycle or something?"
Chaeyeon asked it with pure, sharp curiosity, but that wasn't about to stop me.
"Not stealing. Just using something that's become public property now. If it really bothers you, send the bill to that bandaged bastard."
"...Bandaged?"
"That mummy who was ranting alone on TV a few days ago. You all saw it too."
No way they'd forgotten already.
At my words she finally remembered, letting out an "Ah."
"You mean that pathological liar we saw in the classroom..."
"Yeah. Not just you—the entire human race saw him. Kind of a shame his bullshit turned out to be true."
Thanks to that asshole, both I and these kids had been through hell.
I gave a small shake of my head, opened the café door, and stepped out first.
"Anyway, everyone follow me. I don't feel like getting tangled up in something annoying because we dawdled."
At that they all shot to their feet and came trailing after me in a little line.
At least they listen well. That's something.
The guys were one thing, but even the girls following without a word made me feel like they might actually be worth looking after.
If they'd been talking back and questioning every little thing, I'd have ditched them already.
"...What is it?"
I glanced at Chaeyeon, who had stuck right to my side while we walked, then looked away again from those bright, sparkling eyes.
One exception wouldn't kill me.
A little later, at the entrance to the bike shop, I swept the surroundings once and paused to think.
While the kids watched me, wondering why I wasn't going in, a white hand clamped over Chaeyeon's mouth just as she was about to ask the inevitable question.
"Mmph! Wh-what?"
When Chaeyeon turned around, Soeun spoke with a frown.
"Read the room, you idiot. You keep asking him every single little thing—you think the guy's going to like that?"
Chaeyeon blinked, then slowly nodded.
"Don't people usually like it? I've never met anyone who hated me talking to them. Especially guys."
"...Your self-love has limits. Constantly chatting up someone that scary is very you, but it makes me nervous every time I see it."
"Nervous about what??"
While she looked genuinely baffled, Hyunmin let out a quiet sigh and whispered.
"If you keep talking to that man, Chaeyeon, he might get annoyed. And if he starts feeling that way, who knows what he'll do to us."
"...I'm annoying?"
She'd clearly never considered the possibility. Her eyes went round and she worked her lips for a moment before speaking.
"I-I've been holding back as much as I can on the questions, though..."
Soeun glanced at me still standing there thinking, then added to Hyunmin's point.
"Yeah. Of course I get how you feel, Im Chaeyeon. You want to ask about everything. But even so, at least show a little basic awareness..."
"You don't have to. That's enough—come over here."
"?!"
Soeun flinched and looked at me. They'd thought they were keeping their voices as low as possible. I could hear every word.
"If you're curious about something, you can ask. I won't bite. Just pick your moments and the kind of questions."
I said it with a cynical look. Chaeyeon broke into a huge smile and immediately shot her hand up. Seriously, look at that face. How could she smile that brightly in a situation like this?
"Then Oppa! There's really just one thing I want to ask. What exactly is your job—"
I raised my own hand the same way to cut her off and spoke without changing expression.
"I said pick your moment. Not now."
"....I'm sorry."
After that she pointedly sealed her lips and came back to my side. I looked down at her, then around at the others.
"You lot stop hanging back too. Stick close. We're going inside, and who knows what might jump out."
"....."
Haejun eyed the bike shop and swallowed hard.
"Uh, hyung-nim. Do we really need to go into a place like that?"
At the question I almost raised my axe with a How dare a guy talk back?!... but of course I didn't. I'm not a psycho.
And it was a fair question for the situation.
While we talked I checked once more for any corpses nearby, then answered.
"I came here for you guys. I don't feel like going in alone and digging around."
"Huh? What do you mean..."
Explaining was starting to feel like a waste of time. My stomach was getting emptier by the second.
Even without a watch I could tell it was lunchtime. I turned my back and headed straight into the shop as I spoke.
"Common sense—there's no way I need a bicycle. You're looking for two things. Something each of you can use as a weapon. And armor."
"...Ah, so that's why..."
Chaeyeon seemed to get it right away, so I didn't elaborate.
"Bike pads, and any parts solid enough to swing. We stopped for your safety, so search well."
And while we were at it, maybe grab an actual bike just in case. Something ridiculously light and tough.
I ignored the strangely moved looks on their faces and kept going.
"Still, you never know, so I'll go in first and—"
"Grrrrrk."
"?"
"??"
The phlegmy sound from inside made the kids staring at me freeze with question marks, then horror.
"Behind you—behind!"
Right after, I felt the foul breath on the back of my neck and grabbed the thing without even looking.
Then, like a pair of shears, I crushed its face in one hand's grip, splitting the lower jaw so it couldn't close its mouth, and finished talking to the zombie and the kids.
"I'll clear the way like this. You little friends just follow after. Got it?"
I twisted my upper body hard, shoved the head I was holding sideways, and buried my axe in its forehead at the same time.
Pssshhhhh—
Rotten blood and brain matter sprayed from the cracked skull like champagne.
I turned back to the kids with a crooked grin as the empty stomach started throwing jabs at my gut.
"No answer?"
They all snapped to attention like they'd done military service.
Haha.
Yejin sat on the sofa chewing her nails, face tight with anxiety.
Then she suddenly noticed what she was doing, gave a bitter smile, lowered her hand—only to start gnawing her nails again without realizing it.
...I thought I kicked this habit after high school.
The fact that a forgotten habit was resurfacing meant her heart was that unsettled.
If you're that anxious, we could stay with you...
The siblings upstairs had offered after learning the situation from the morning note, but Yejin had no choice but to refuse.
This wasn't her house—it was his. Letting strangers in on her own would be ridiculous. And going upstairs herself felt just as wrong.
He was out there working so hard for her sake. Acting freely just because she was anxious...
He might think I'm being ungrateful.
So for hours she had fretted alone, waiting for only one person, until—
Beep-beep—
At the sudden sound she whipped her head toward the front door.
Then her whole face lit with a bright smile as she jumped up and ran to it.
Clunk—
I stepped in covered in blood the way I always did—something I still couldn't get used to no matter how many times I saw it—and greeted her.
"Food. Yejin. I'm starving."
She had clearly been fretting all morning; her face was pale, but her pink lips curved into a truly happy smile. She started to answer, then spotted the kids standing behind me and froze for a second.
Then her eyes met her younger siblings', and tears beaded in them.
But she didn't show it. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, turned back, and met my gaze again.
"I'll have it ready right away, Oppa."
I watched her run toward the kitchen, then turned while taking off my shoes.
"That's your older sister, right?"
"...Yes. It is."
Whether it was because my half-believed words had turned out true, or because of their sister's reaction, Yujin nodded with a dazed expression.
I laughed once at that blank look and shouted toward the kitchen.
"Hey, Kim Yejin! You should at least say hello to the little sisters who made it back alive first!"
"...Is that okay?"
She peeked out from where she was already boiling water full blast on the gas burner.
Instead of answering I jerked my chin at her sisters. Yejin hesitated a moment, then ran straight to the entrance.
And she pulled the two sisters—who looked almost as rough as I did—into a fierce hug.
"...Unni? Is it really you?"
Sujin's voice was full of disbelief. Yejin nodded silently, hugged them tighter once more, and murmured so only they and I could hear.
"Thank you. Really."
For not dying.
And for showing up in front of your sister again.
After a brief silence the two girls slowly hugged her back.
Well. Disgustingly touching.
I gave my private review from the side, then casually walked into the kitchen and looked at the mountain of instant noodles piled next to the boiling pot.
Shit. This is disgustingly touching too.
The Mona Lisa had nothing on this for pure artistry.
While I shed tears of joy tearing open noodle packets, and the three sisters finally dissolved into a full-on crying fest, Chaeyeon—who had been looking back and forth between us—spoke up.
"Hyunmin sunbae. Which atmosphere are we supposed to match right now?"
"...Uh, well... good question."
Hyunmin felt cold sweat trickle down his temple.